If you’ve been diagnosed with degenerative disc disease, your first thought may be, “How do I fix this?” First, it’s important to take a look at what this condition is, to understand how it affects you and your daily activities. Degenerative disc disease occurs when the discs that provide padding and support for the spine begin to deteriorate. This often occurs naturally during years of wear and tear from normal movements. When these discs wear down, dehydrate, or become misshapen, they can cause a variety of symptoms, including neck and back pain.

How to handle symptoms of degenerative disc disease

Once the spinal discs degenerate, there’s no way to fully restore them back to how they were originally. However, there are a number of ways that you can help minimize the symptoms, including:

• Low-impact exercises or physical therapy to strengthen the muscles surrounding the spine
• Lifestyle changes, such as improving posture and avoiding activities that make symptoms worse
• Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications
• Stretching techniques that improve flexibility in the neck and back

In many cases, these conservative treatment options can help minimize or even eliminate symptoms associated with degenerative disc disease. While the spinal discs may not have not been restored, symptoms may be minimized enough that you can carry on your regular life without further treatment.

Treatment for degenerative disc disease at USA Spine Care

When symptoms of degenerative disc disease do not improve with conservative treatments or worsen through the years to the point of being debilitating, it may become necessary to consider surgery. As a safer and effective alternative to traditional open surgery^{^} USA Spine Care specializes in minimally invasive spinal procedures for conditions such as degenerative disc disease.

If you’d like to find out if you’re a candidate for one of our minimally invasive procedures, contact USA Spine Care for a no-cost MRI review.*

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